Why I decided to run for city office

By Jim Bouldin

Candidate for Tarpon Springs City Commission, Seat 4

When I introduced myself to a merchant on our world famous Sponge Docks recently, the words coming out of my mouth still sounded strange to me.

“Hello, I’m Jim Bouldin and I’m running for Tarpon City Commission Seat 4.”

Geez, I thought, is that what a politician sounds like? Am I really uttering these words?

 Well, the answer is yes; after a 25-some year career as a newspaper editor, publisher and marketing type, I have decided to quit beating up political types on newsprint and begin to reach out to local citizens in another way – by becoming a public servant and working to build a better community where I live, work and play.

Only difference is, this time around I’ll be working from the inside of City Hall, out.

Now I hope to be answering the important questions, as opposed to asking them.

When I arrived at my final news post as the editor and publisher of The Excelsior Springs (MO) Standard in 1993, (a city not unlike this one located just northeast of Kansas City, Missouri) I was faced with a dismal advertising market due to a declining downtown retail base and an embattled environment brought on by the developing “east side” retailers who, the perception was, abandoned the core downtown area and joined the big box stores on the freshly painted landscape to the west.

The two groups blamed each other for their failures and were opposed to sitting down with each other to begin a healthy conversation about joining forces for the betterment of all who worked hard to build a business and support their families.

Sound familiar?

Well, after walking the streets and talking the talk about how all concerned parties must unite in the face of tough economic times, I began to make some progress. A few “east meets west” lunch meetings were held and after a few months I began to notice that talk of compromise and joint promotional events became frequent topics – and self-centered attitudes began to take a backseat. The “old school, uncompromising merchants” soon became pale voices in the distance.

Personally, I always believed a good newspaper should be a catalyst for change; a neutral player capable of driving progress by better informing and empowering those within its reach. I feel fortunate to have been involved in such efforts and have been able to enjoy witnessing the progress of those who joined together to create their own success stories, born of hard work and a new set of team building skills.

I believe my practical experience, community involvement and leadership skills can be applied to the current state of affairs in Tarpon Springs, and I believe that by working with the people and the architects of our future, I can make a distinct difference in the community I am proud to call home.

And that’s precisely why I have made a commitment to run for the current open Seat 4 on the Tarpon Springs City Commission.

You know, come to think of it, I guess those words I uttered on the docks don’t seem so strange after all …